Hey Precious, how are you doing today?
I am very well, thank you!
How have your goals and aims with the project changed and developed as you have?
I’ve always intended to make music that makes me feel moved, that resonates with my potent experiences and ideas. In the past two years, as an activist, I have definitely connected more deeply with the world, specifically social and racial injustice in my city of Los Angeles. That has changed how I perceive myself, the world, changed my experiences, and changed my music.
How do you define success as an artist?
I make art for the public to experience bits of truth. Truth is elusive and communicating that truth is my real challenge. When the audience grasps what is alien, what is indescribable and powerful, then I know I’m successful.
How do you look back on how ‘My Little Problem’ was received at this point in your career?
When I wrote that track and released the music video, I was very happy with my work but didn’t believe it would connect with people. It’s an extremely intimate song about a potent part of my life and I’m thrilled people “got it”. I hope even more people hear and connect with it.
You got permission to use Sleigh Bells’ ‘And Saints’ for a track (‘Tear Up’) that is quite personal to you, and poignant on a global perspective to womxn and the trans community – how hard was it for you to pull that song together, on a personal level?
It’s extremely difficult to pay proper respect to a favorite piece of music! I wrote the re-interpretation on a trip to Sedona, AZ. I was overwhelmed and stressed out from the hatred and threats around Wi Spa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi_Spa_controversy) and drove out there to go hiking and experience beauty. “And Saints” words of departure and transformation prompted me to recollect the impact of injustice- that which I experienced personally on the streets as a trans activist and also in listening to (interviewing, streaming, marching with) the families and friends of those unjustly murdered by the police. Tragedy and perseverance by necessity, defiance in the face of hatred, all that is woven in the adaptation. It took around 40 miles of hiking to put together.
What is your advice for emerging artists and creatives with differences (whether that be around disability, neurodivergence or otherwise), on how to get noticed in the “right” ways, and to redirect any hate?
I urge new artists who are atypical individuals to experiment and discover the ways that they relate with themselves and their audience. Artists have the opportunity to powerfully communicate about disability, neurodivergence and I appreciate those who do so as art speaks in rich languages. Regarding the public, nobody is your master but you, and the experience of bringing work to the public and interacting around it is very personal. In my case, when I went viral as a trans-hate target, I did not close down my accounts and go silent. That let the hate fire build, but as an artist, I wanted the general public to experience how alive and vehement transphobia is. I also wanted the world to know that I would not be the victim of transphobes and that I would attack! This said, I wouldn’t recommend that for anyone else: that was my own choice. Overall, it is principally valuable to accept love and support from your fans and appreciators, and return the same to them.
What is your message for your supporters in the UK?
Thank you so much! Please continue to help me make more fans and friends in the UK and stream Precious Child and play Die Every Day for all your friends! I hope to play some UK shows in ’22.
Is there anything else you wanna plug before we finish up?
My full length album “AR-15s for Transgender Teens” will be out in February 2022!
